Coral Watch Specialty

The PADI AWARE Coral Watch Specialty is a 1-day course that teaches divers and snorkelers how to monitor coral health using the Coral Health Chart, a global citizen science tool developed by the University of Queensland.

You’ll learn how to identify coral stress and bleaching, collect real data underwater, and upload it to the Coral Watch international database — helping scientists monitor reef health worldwide.

No, you don’t! The Coral Watch Specialty can be completed either snorkeling or scuba diving, making it perfect for ocean lovers of all experience levels.

If you’re already a certified diver, you’ll complete two training dives.

If you’re not a diver, you can join as a snorkeler, learning the same skills while observing coral reefs from the surface.

During the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Use the PADI AWARE Coral Health Chart to monitor coral color and detect bleaching.
• Identify different coral species and understand their ecological importance.
• Collect, record, and submit coral health data to global monitoring projects.
• Recognize signs of stress and understand how divers and snorkelers can help protect reefs.

By the end of the day, you’ll be able to conduct your own Coral Watch surveys anywhere in the world.

Yes! Many of our students combine the Coral Watch Specialty with other short conservation courses such as Sea Turtle Ecology, Shark Ecology, or Marine Plastics Monitoring.

If you want to join one of our programs, Coral Watch is already included in our 3-day Citizen Science Program, perfect for beginners who want to contribute to reef monitoring right away.

Upon completion, you’ll receive the PADI AWARE Coral Watch Specialty Certification, an internationally recognized qualification that certifies your participation in coral monitoring and citizen science initiatives.

This certification can be credited toward your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating and is a great way to build your experience in marine ecology and environmental awareness.

The course is conducted at some of Koh Tao’s most famous reef sites, chosen based on visibility, conditions, and coral diversity.

Whether snorkeling or diving, you’ll explore shallow reef systems rich in color and life while learning to assess coral health firsthand.

The Coral Watch Specialty costs 6,000 THB and includes:

• 1 classroom presentation on coral health and monitoring
• Guided snorkel or 2 scuba dives
• All PADI AWARE Coral Watch materials
• Certification fees
• Equipment rental (snorkel or dive gear)
• Dive insurance
• Fruit and refreshments on the boat (if diving)

There are no prerequisites — just a love for the ocean and curiosity about coral reefs.

The Coral Watch program empowers divers and snorkelers to become citizen scientists.

By collecting color data from coral colonies, participants contribute to one of the largest global coral reef monitoring databases.

Every observation helps scientists better understand coral bleaching events, seasonal changes, and the impacts of climate change on reef ecosystems.

Yes! The Coral Watch Specialty is open to participants aged 10 and above.
It’s a fantastic educational activity for families or groups who want to learn about marine ecosystems together while supporting coral reef conservation.

At Black Turtle Conservation, we don’t just teach coral health monitoring — we turn it into real action.Our team of marine biologists and Conservation and PADI Instructor Trainers combines education, science, and hands-on experience to help you understand and protect coral reefs in a meaningful way.

You’ll learn to assess coral health using the CoralWatch methodology while exploring some of Koh Tao’s most vibrant reefs. Whether you’re snorkeling or scuba diving, your data directly contributes to global reef monitoring databases, helping researchers track bleaching and recovery trends worldwide.

Join us to gain knowledge, purpose, and the confidence to make every dive (or snorkel!) count.